This page is '''''archived.''''' It contains useful information, but is no longer being updated. See our project [http://e-democracy.org/evaluation evaluation] and our [http://e-democracy.org/inclusion Inclusion section] for updates on new programming in this area.

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'''''For the latest news and extensive resources, see the list below.'''''

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'''''For the latest news and extensive resources, see the list of over a dozen blog posts and presentations below.'''''

With Ford Foundation support 2010-11, we are deepening our [http://e-democracy.org/if Issues Forum] [http://pages.e-democracy.org/Starting_a_neighbors_forum start-up efforts] starting in the lower income, high immigrant [http://e-democracy.org/cr Cedar Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis] and the [http://e-democracy.org/frogtown Greater Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul.]

With Ford Foundation support 2010-11, we are deepening our [http://e-democracy.org/if Issues Forum] [http://pages.e-democracy.org/Starting_a_neighbors_forum start-up efforts] starting in the lower income, high immigrant [http://e-democracy.org/cr Cedar Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis] and the [http://e-democracy.org/frogtown Greater Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul.]

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These forums serve the kinds of neighborhoods are the [http://blog.e-democracy.org/posts/858 least likely] to have [[social media in local public life | local community building efforts that use social media]] while wealthier, more homogeneous areas are benefiting from a mix of neighborhood e-mail lists, blogs, Ning sites, and Facebook Groups.

These forums serve the kinds of neighborhoods are the [http://blog.e-democracy.org/posts/858 least likely] to have [[social media in local public life | local community building efforts that use social media]] while wealthier, more homogeneous areas are benefiting from a mix of neighborhood e-mail lists, blogs, Ning sites, and Facebook Groups.

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From gathering lessons on effective community outreach (we do extensive [http://blog.e-democracy.org/posts/639 in-person outreach]) to build content and forum participant engagement that reflects the diversity of those successfully recruited, this work is being watched. This seems to be a nut that no one has cracked. What good is online engagement if it just empowers those communities that need the least relative help while completely passing over those diverse/lower income areas that could benefit the most?

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From gathering lessons on effective community outreach (we do extensive [http://blog.e-democracy.org/posts/639 in-person outreach]) to building content and forum participant engagement that reflects the diversity of those successfully recruited, this work is being watched. This seems to be a nut that no one has cracked. What good is online engagement if it just empowers those communities that need the least relative help while completely passing over those diverse/lower income areas that could benefit the most?

http://e-democracy.org/images/frogtownneighbors.jpg

http://e-democracy.org/images/frogtownneighbors.jpg

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We will seek project input and share lessons via the new [http://e-democracy.org/di Digital Inclusion Network] and [[Locals Online]] that we are hosting as part of the [[Participation 3.0]] initiative.

We will seek project input and share lessons via the new [http://e-democracy.org/di Digital Inclusion Network] and [[Locals Online]] that we are hosting as part of the [[Participation 3.0]] initiative.

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http://e-democracy.org/images/cedarriverside-photomulad.jpg

== Background - Details from our Blog ==

== Background - Details from our Blog ==

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For further background on this evolving work, see the following blog posts on our [http://blog.e-democracy.org project blog]:

For further background on this evolving work, see the following blog posts on our [http://blog.e-democracy.org project blog]:

From gathering lessons on effective community outreach (we do extensive in-person outreach) to building content and forum participant engagement that reflects the diversity of those successfully recruited, this work is being watched. This seems to be a nut that no one has cracked. What good is online engagement if it just empowers those communities that need the least relative help while completely passing over those diverse/lower income areas that could benefit the most?

With 2011 funding just secured from the Blandin Foundation, we are expanding efforts to include our Native American majority rural Minnesota Cass Lake Leech Lake community Issues Forum in this enhanced effort. Our volunteer-based 35+ forum network continues and will also benefit from efforts to increase the diversity of new voices.